2015 Blue Thumb Partners Agreement updated June 24, 2015

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1 Blue Thumb Partners Agreement Blue Thumb Partners Agreement updated June 24, 2015

2 Blue Thumb Partners Agreement 2 Blue Thumb - Planting for Clean Water Blue Thumb Planting for Clean Water is a public private partnership program that promotes native plants, raingardens, and shoreline stabilizations to reduce runoff and improve water quality. Partners include local governmental units (watershed districts, conservation districts, cities and counties), nonprofit organizations, nurseries, and landscape design and build contractors. Blue Thumb is operated and managed by Metro Blooms through a license agreement with the Rice Creek Watershed District. Well known events include Quarterly Partner Meetings and Trainings, the Landscape Revival - Native Plant Sale, and the MN State Fair exhibit at the Eco-Experience building. Where we started: Blue Thumb began in 2006 as an outreach program created and owned by the Rice Creek Watershed District to help meet water quality goals set forth in the Clean Water Act. Our Challenge: The EPA defines runoff as the number one threat to water quality in our lakes and streams; however the general public is not aware of how runoff from their property impacts our clean water and ways they can make a difference. Our Shared Vision: Clean water resources supported by beautiful and ecologically functional landscapes that minimize runoff in cities, towns and suburbs. Our Impact: Measurable reductions in runoff and improved ecological benefits with properties that are transformed. Community engagement and behavior change to bridge information and action. Changes in the landscaping norms among professionals and property owners.

3 Blue Thumb Partners Agreement Benefits of Being a Blue Thumb Partner Partners can continue to expect all the partner benefits you value and have come to rely on, as well as new offerings available through our shared work. I. Membership in a robust and diverse partner network of 64+ like-minded organizations and professionals, including local government units (cities, counties, and watershed organizations), nonprofit organizations, and private sector landscape designers, contractors and native plant nurseries. II. III. IV. A creditable and well-recognized brand to strengthen messaging and impacts as well as to add a level of professionalism and a shared vision for this work. Connection to property owners interested in a raingarden or other stormwater best management practice installation, through insert in workshop booklet at 15+ workshops (2015 deadline 03/01/15), promotion of grant and cost-share opportunities and deadlines, partner marketing materials shared at workshops and exhibits, including brochures and/ or special offers. Website referral to trusted resources: a One-Stop-Shop [new site in development] approach to encourage public participation and reduce barriers to action. Partners will have a website presence and link to their homepage. V. Media presence - to build awareness about problems of runoff and benefits of raingardens, shoreline plantings, and native plants for clean water and healthy environment (traditional and print media, as well as online and social media). V. Monthly public education articles shared for your publication on timely stormwater and healthy landscaping topics. VII. Professional development on timely topics in field of interest, and professional networking opportunities at quarterly partner meetings and partner showcase events. VIII. Opportunities to exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair and Landscape Revival. X. Use of shared resources including high quality display materials available for check out and online download of resources. (Partners are encouraged to develop, share, and access materials on the Blue Thumb ftp site. This keeps the information we share with the public fresh and relevant.)

4 Blue Thumb Partners Agreement Blue Thumb Program Calendar January 2015 Finalize plans for new organization February Feb 11 Share Announcement, Dues and Benefits Materials with Partners. Enter upcoming events on the Blue Thumb calendar! March March 10 - Partner Meeting: Dan Shaw, Why Raingardens are Good for Pollinators at TBD from 9:30 am to 11:30 am Mar 19- Steering Committee meeting at TBD from 10 am to 12 pm Include Blue Thumb in your event press releases this spring. April Sign up for a shift at the Landscape Revival native plant sale May May 7 Partner Meeting: Green Roofs Council Sign up for a shift at the Landscape Revival native plant sale August Aug 20 to Sept 7 - MN State Fair September Include Blue Thumb partner dues in your 2016 budget plans. October Oct 1 - Steering Committee meeting at TBD from 10 am to 12 pm Oct 29 - Partner meeting/training at MWMO from 9:30 am to 11:30 am (topic to be determined) November Consider joining the Steering Committee for December Dec 10 - Steering Committee meeting at TBD office from 10 am to 12 pm Dec partner agreements due Dec 31 - In-kind/financial reporting and contributions due June June 6 - Landscape Revival, Saturday, June 6, Cub Foods, Roseville (Formerly Rainbow). July July 7 - Steering Committee Meeting at MWMO July 16 - Partner meeting at MWMO from 9:30 am to 11:30 am Sign up for a shift at the State Fair!

5 Blue Thumb Partners Metro Blooms Agreement and Blue Thumb Partner Agreement Partner Dues A new dues structure will ensure that the Blue Thumb program is able to achieve our vision and to offer all the benefits outlined above (page 3). In 2015, members may continue to fulfill up to 50% of dues with volunteer action hours. Individual (non-affiliated): $ 50 For Profit and Non Profit Businesses: Small business (Gross volume < $1million): $250 Large business (Gross volume > $1million): $1,000 Government: Small City (< 5,000): $250 Med City (>5,000 and <50,000): $750 Large City (>50,000): $1,000 SWCD / County: $500 Watershed Management Organizations: $1,000 Small Watershed Districts (Taxable Market Value < $1 Billion): $1,000 Medium Watershed Districts (TMV $1-5 Billion): $2,000 Large Watershed Districts (TMV >$5 Billion): $3,500 The 2015 dues and benefits structure includes opportunities for partners to complete volunteer action hours to cover up to 50% of their partner dues, but a cash portion is required to continue to receive all the benefits of membership and is requested in 2015 by March 15, 2015 Each action hour is counted as a $25 contribution in alignment with the Independent Sector guidelines. Volunteer action hours are limited to defined activities as listed on the following page. Any unfulfilled volunteer hours will be invoiced at year end. Of course, your volunteer involvement is encouraged whether or not you provide the full cash contribution to the program. Please indicate your 2015 partner dues payment schedule: March 15: December 15: 100% dues payment 50% dues payment + 50% pledge of volunteer action hours as indicated above. Up to 50% due for remainder of unfulfilled volunteer action hours.

6 Metro Blooms and Blue Thumb Blue Thumb Partners Agreement Volunteer Opportunities/Program Committees Hours served go towards a reduction of membership fees at $25 per hour and up to 50% of the total fee. If you are interested in volunteering for 50% of your dues, please indicate your interest below: Media Campaign (2-4 members, July - Decemb er - Plan campaign and seek funding for campaign to promote planting native vegetation to increase infiltration and filtration, and enhance habitat. Displays (2-4 members, ongoing) - Consider new interactive ideas for transportable displays to be used to educate the public on the benefits of stormwater capture practices, as well as the important role of natives in our habitats. Website (2-5 members, July - October) - Advise on the merger of the Metro Blooms and Blue Thumb websites. Importance given to details of: partner referral and resources (especially the plant selector tool), partner portal, programming, education, visuals, donor tracking, database management and functionality, etc. (Periodic meetings in 2015 on an as-needed basis while monitoring the merger of these two websites. Workshop and Other Educational Materials (2-5 members) - Consider and make suggestions for new educational materials to incorporate new design standards, including a new Blue Thumb Workshop Packet for workshop attendees(2016), Basic Maintenance Brochure, Urban Gardener s Guide, Raingardens: Plan Today, Plant Tomorrow, and an Annual Report. (1st meetings to initiate discussion with follow-up through and meetings, as needed thereafter. Weekly communications with possible 2nd meeting. Expo and Event Volunteer & Volunteer Coordinator (30-35 members, 4 hour shifts + planning committees) Our biggest event, the Minnesota State Fair includes 30 volunteer shifts,in addtion to the planning and volunteer coordination that is required. In addition to the MN State Fair and Landscape Revival, there are expo and event volunteer opportunities that arise throughout the year,. Steering Advisory Committee (9 members, quarterly meetings) The Steering Advisory Committee is comprised of partners representing the diverse scope of our work. The Steering Advisory Committee enhances organizational capacity, assures alignment with our shared vision, and helps develop partner meetings and trainings.

7 Blue Thumb Partners Metro Blooms Agreement and Blue Thumb 7 Partner Information Company/Organization Your Organization s Blue Thumb Contact Name Address City State Zip Phone Website For All Blue Thumb Partners: The below signatures indicate that has agreed to become (or continue as) a partner with the Blue Thumb Planting for Clean Water program in accordance with the terms described in this agreement. By: By: Partner representative Date Blue Thumb Representative Date For Nurseries and Garden Centers, Installers & Designers Only: Nurseries and garden centers selling native plants will be expected to supply and/or use native plants from local ecotype native plants. This means plant material propagated from original sources no farther than 200 miles (300 for trees and shrubs) from the projects. The below signatures indicate that has agreed to become a partner to the Blue Thumb Planting for Clean Water TM program in accordance with the terms described above. By: By: Partner representative Date Blue Thumb Representative Date Please or mail pages 5-7 of this partnership agreement: dawnpape@gmail.com Tel: Metro Blooms, Attn: Dawn Pape P.O. Box Minneapolis, MN 55417